April 1 (UPI) -- Another big weekend of Kentucky Derby trials looms with the Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks each offering guaranteed entry to the Churchill Downs starting gate for at least two horses.
Those races are surrounded by Kentucky Oaks preps and many more graded stakes at Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park in Kentucky. Santa Anita and Aqueduct, which have their own Kentucky Derby semifinals next weekend, also chip in with stakes action Saturday.
On the international scene, Japan's reigning Horse of the Year, Efforia, returns for his 4-year-old debut Sunday in the Grade 1 Osaka Hai. And after two makeup Group 1 events on Monday, Australia has four more Saturday.
There's so much to cover that ace analyst Jude Feld, after handicapping 24 weekend races, commented, "Exhausting." The fruits of his labors and expertise are available at popejude.com.
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